Pregnancy Questions

What happens in the 32nd week of pregnancy?

In the 32nd week of pregnancy, your baby measures about 18 1/2 inches in length and weighs near to 4 pounds. In most baby boys, their testicles have already moved into the scrotom. At times, however one or even both the testicles don't move into position until after birth. Your baby can now move his or her head from side to side and also continues to work on its breathing.

Changes in Your Body:

As the due date approaches, your body is going to spend a lot of time practicing for your baby’s birth. In particular, the muscles of your uterus will practice contracting and relaxing. These contractions are known as Braxton-Hicks contractions and are usually painless.

At 32 weeks pregnant, the total volume of blood circulating in your body is nearly 40 to 50 percent higher than what it was before you became pregnant. This additional blood volume helps accommodate your fetus.

Most probably, you are still gaining about 1 pound per week. Some women might experience more shortness of breath at this time during their pregnancy. Make sure that you avoid overexertion and take time to relax during the day.

You might also start experiencing pain in your buttocks and lower back by pregnancy week 32 as your center of gravity is shifting. Take care while walking to avoid unnecessary falls that can prove to be quite dangerous for you as well as your baby.

The increasing size of your uterus may well contribute to heartburn and indigestion in addition to a sense of breathlessness during pregnancy.

At this point, you should try to drink lots of water as you continue your pregnancy week by week and eat foods that are high in fiber so as to help combat constipation that typically occurs in late pregnancy. As you continue to grow, your hips start expanding and your ligaments stretch to help prepare your body for labor.

During your prenatal visits, your doctor or health care provider will monitor your blood pressure, urine, as well as any swelling that may develop, but symptoms such as sudden weight gain, swelling in the face or hands, headaches, or changes in the vision could be signs of preeclampsia. This is a condition which causes high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Make sure to tell your healthcare provider or your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, as this condition can affect both the mother and fetus during the 2nd half of pregnancy.

Your Baby's Development

At this point of time, the eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair on your baby's head are quite evident. The lanugo hair that has been covering your baby since the beginning of the 2nd trimester now starts falling off, although some hair may remain on the shoulders and back at birth.

Your baby will have an excellent chance of survival outside the womb incase you delivered now. Your baby continues to gain weight each week of your pregnancy.
By this time, your baby’s fingernails have grown long enough to reach the tip of his or her fingers. Certain babies will have settled into their labor position – with their head down, chin tucked into chest, and bottom up. Your baby may be even smiling now! At 32 weeks pregnant, it is common for unborn babies to smile, stick out their tongues, and also make faces.
At this particular stage of pregnancy, your baby's face is much more rounded and really adorable!